Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit 'Creativity is GREAT Britain' Reception

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrated the creative industries at a Creativity is GREAT Britain reception earlier today at the private work collective NeueHouse in Manhattan. Hosted by the British Ambassador to the United States of America, Sir Peter Westmacott and the British Consul General to New York, Mr. Danny Lopez, the event recognized the impact of the creative sectors to the UK economy including film, television, publishing, art, architecture, fashion, advertising, music, and design and theatre.

Extoling the British creative talent in New York and highlighting the successful partnerships between the UK and the US guests in attendance included Glenda Bailey OBE (editor-in-chief Harper's Bazaar), Amanda Berry, OBE (CEO BAFTA), Andrea Brooke (owner Grace & Favor), Colin Callendar (CEO Playground Entertainment), Georgina CHAPMAN (co-founder Marchesa), James Corner (CEO James Corner Field Operations), Rebecca Eaton (executive producer, PBS Masterpiece), Karen Hopkins (president BAM), David Lazar (executive director, Ambassador Theatre Group), Cynthia Lopez (commissioner, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment), Jenna Lyons (Creative Director J. Crew), Marigay McKee (president Saks Fifth Avenue), Archie Panjabi (actress, "The Good Wife"), Graham Parker (general manager WXQR Radio), Sir Patrick Stewart OBE, Charles Tremayne (chairman BAFTA New York), Deborah Turness (president NBC News), Harvey Weinstein CBE (co-chairman The Weinstein Company) and the partners and founders of NeueHouse, Joshua Abram, Alan Murray, James O'Reilly and Camilla Andersson.

"Today's reception, with our very special Royal guests, reflects the central and vital role creativity plays in Britain's extraordinary relationship with the United States," said British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott. "With award season upon us, I'm confident we will once again see British talent dominant in the film and television sectors. The tremendous economic impact of the creative sector is also clear-every hour, British creative industries generate over £8 million for our economy."

"British entertainment, including theatre, film and television, is one of our nation's greatest exports. In 2013/14 along with Sir Ian McKellen, I was proud to be part of a season that saw so many great British performers filling theaters and winning awards, on Broadway and off," said Sir Patrick Stewart OBE. "It is certain that seeing the best of British talent on their home stages, many Americans make the trip to London, Stratford and Chichester to get an even wider taste of what British entertainment has to offer."

"The United Kingdom has, and continues to have, a remarkable influence on art, design, fashion and lifestyle," said Glenda Bailey OBE, editor-in-chief Harper's Bazaar and recently appointed GREAT ambassador. "Every day I see the strong UK/US relationship - from the Harper's BAZAAR office in the magnificent Hearst Tower, designed by British architects Foster + Partners, to the many incredible fashion designers and brands that are enjoying unprecedented success and inspiring future generations."

"There's nothing better than shooting in Great Britain," said Colin Callender CEO Playground Entertainment. "We've always had some of the finest talent in front of and behind the camera but the new UK Television Tax Credit is a game changer. We had planned to shoot the six hour adaptation of Hilary Mantel's historical drama WOLF HALL in Belgium but because of the tax credit we were able to bring the whole production back to the UK. Furthermore we were able to draw from the unique pool of British talent in theatre, film and television to bring to the screen a production that celebrates the very best of what Britain can offer audiences in the US and around the world."

Creativity is GREAT Britain will salute the film industry with the "GREAT British Film Reception" on Friday, February 20, 2015 celebrating the Academy Award nominees from the United Kingdom. The UK consistently features as the country with the most nominations outside of the US.

Launched in 2012, the GREAT campaign invites the world to take a fresh look at everything Britain has to offer that makes it a GREAT place to visit, study, invest and do business. THE CAMPAIGN is built around key pillars of British excellence: Creativity, Technology and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Knowledge, Music, Sport, Shopping, Heritage and Countryside.

The UK is where culture meets commerce and great success stories begin. UK creativity inspires the world, producing a stream of individuals who are hugely influential in global media, entertainment and the arts.

Film plays a major role and generated $1.4 billion of inward investment from the US into the UK in 2013. The British Government works to sustain and increase these levels of investment by attracting, encouraging and supporting the production of international feature films in the UK.

The British Government is committed to supporting the UK as a centre for excellence in filmmaking. The UK Film Tax Relief is one of the most generous, consistent and well-functioning in the industry.

About the GREAT Britain Campaign - The GREAT Britain campaign showcases the very best of what Britain has to offer. We welcome the world to visit, study, invest in and do business with the UK. The UK's dynamic economy and business-friendly environment make it a great place to locate and expand your business. To find out more visit here.

About UKTI - UK Trade & Investment is the commercial arm of the British government working with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. We encourage and support overseas companies to look at the UK as the best place to set up or expand their business.

About NeueHouse - NeueHouse represents a rethinking of the ideal work environment for established entrepreneurs and their teams of up to 20 people in the creative industries. Founded in New York in 2013, the NeueHouse experience centers on innovative design and art, gracious hospitality, cultural programming and an eclectic community. NeueHouse has cultivated a diverse community of leaders in the fields of film, fashion, design, publishing and the arts, with half the firms led by women. NeueHouse will debut in Los Angeles the spring of 2015, and open in London's historic Adelphi Building overlooking the Thames in late 2015.

Pictured: TRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge listen to the British Ambassador to the United States Sir Peter Westmacott speak at the Creativity is GREAT Britain's event in HONOUR of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at NeueHouse on December 9, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesPOOL/Getty Images.